Power management devices and kits including the same

Abstract

The present invention provides a power management device. In one embodiment, the device includes: a line power input; a line power output; an inverter in communication with one or more DC power sources, the inverter adapted and configured to receive DC power from a DC power source and output line power; a DC transformer in communication with the line power input, the DC transformer adapted and configured to change line power to DC power; a first relay; a second relay; and a third relay. If line power is provided via the line power input: the first relay is adapted and configured to electrically couple the line power input to the line power output; the second relay is adapted to deactivate the inverter; and the third relay is adapted to electrically couple the DC transformer to the one or more DC power sources.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A power management device comprising:
 a line power input; 
 a line power output; 
 an inverter in communication with one or more DC power sources, the inverter adapted and configured to receive DC power from a DC power source and output line power; 
 a DC transformer in communication with the line power input, the DC transformer adapted and configured to change line power to DC power; 
 a first relay; 
 a second relay; 
 a third relay; 
 a sump pump; 
 a first timer programmed to periodically interrupt a flow of electricity from the line power input; 
 a second timer programmed to periodically cause the sump pump to run regardless of whether a float switch is triggered; 
 a sensor programmed to detect whether vibrations indicative of operation of the sump pump occur; and 
 an alarm programmed to generate an alert if the sensor does not detect vibrations when the second timer periodically causes the sump pump to run; 
 wherein:
 if line power is provided via the line power input:
 the first relay is adapted and configured to electrically couple the line power input to the line power output; 
 the second relay is adapted to deactivate the inverter; and 
 the third relay is adapted to electrically couple the DC transformer to the one or more DC power sources; and 
 
 if line power is not provided via the line power input:
 the first relay is adapted and configured to electrically couple the inverter to the line power output; 
 the second relay is adapted to activate the inverter; and 
 the third relay is adapted to disconnect the DC transformer from the one or more DC power sources. 
 
 
 
     
     
       2. The power management device of  claim 1 , wherein the line power input includes a plug adapted and configured for removable coupling with an electrical receptacle. 
     
     
       3. The power management device of  claim 2 , wherein the plug is NEMA-compliant. 
     
     
       4. The power management device of  claim 1 , wherein the line power input includes an appliance coupler or an interconnection coupler. 
     
     
       5. The power management device of  claim 4 , wherein the appliance coupler or the interconnection coupler are IEC-60320-compliant. 
     
     
       6. The power management device of  claim 1 , wherein the line power output is an electrical receptacle. 
     
     
       7. The power management device of  claim 6 , wherein the electrical receptacle is NEMA-compliant. 
     
     
       8. The power management device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a housing. 
 
     
     
       9. The power management device of  claim 8  wherein the housing has a profile substantially approximating a one-gang electrical box. 
     
     
       10. The power management device of  claim 1 , wherein the inverter is a 2,000 Watt continuous, 4,000 Watt peak inverter. 
     
     
       11. The power management device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more DC power sources include one or more batteries. 
     
     
       12. The power management device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more batteries are 12 Volt batteries. 
     
     
       13. The power management device of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more DC power sources include one or more selected from the group consisting of: flywheels, solar cells, and fuel cells. 
     
     
       14. The power management device of  claim 1 , wherein the line power is 120 Volt. 
     
     
       15. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more DC power sources include one or more batteries. 
     
     
       16. The kit of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more batteries are 12 Volt batteries. 
     
     
       17. The kit of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more DC power sources include one or more selected from the group consisting of: flywheels, solar cells, and fuel cells.